[Mobile-Portable] antenna mounting position?

[K0DAN]

Assume you're preferring not to drill the quarter panel?

I had an '02 Caravan on which I side mounted a rather large vertical post 
which had top-mounted ball/spring 102" whip, below which was an Icom 
AH-autotuner. The antenna/tuner worked out great above 14 Mhz, fair at 7Mhz, 
and barely at 80M.

The mount was bolted to a trailer hitch under the vehicle frame. The 
extension for the antenna was an L-asembly with a plate atop. It was very 
solid.

The physical construction of the mount was done by the local 
truck-trailer-hitch company. I told them what I wanted done, and they 
welded, cut, fabricated, and painted a nice sturdy mount, even beveled the 
edges, etc.

Don't recall what it cost, but it was maybe $150, and well worth it, as I'd 
have never been able to do as nice a job myself. The guy who did the work 
took great pride in it, and I was lavish with my complements, and I gave him 
a ncie tip. After I installed the rig, antenna, tuner, I took pix and 
brought them back to the guy and told him I'd refer all my other installs to 
him. He was very pleased. It was good business relationship!

I can send you some photos of the install if you wish (however I no longer 
own the Caravan...but I did save the mount!).

Look for the guys in your area who build/sell truck & trailer hitches, they 
can do anything you want. Treat them well and they'll treat you in kind!

GL es 73

Dan
K0DAN

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Patterson" <jwp1775 at earthlink.net>
To: <mobile-portable at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 9:42 PM
Subject: [Mobile-Portable] antenna mounting position?


> Just picked up a '97 Grand Caravan. Need to put a ball mount somewhere the 
> left rear quarter panel. Anyone done this? Looking for ideas....
>
> John..............K9OF
> ----
> Your Moderator: Dick Flanagan K7VC, mobile-portable-owner at mailman.qth.net
>